The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : `Role of Muslims in 1857 uprising being underplayed'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, May 27, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

`Role of Muslims in 1857 uprising being underplayed'

Special Correspondent

Bangalore: The crucial role played by Muslims in the First War of Independence in 1857 is being systematically erased from public memory by communal forces in India, said speakers at a seminar organised by the Popular Front of India to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the historical event. They also underlined the need for reviving the collaborative role played by Hindus and Muslims in this phase of history.

Delivering the presidential address at the seminar here on Saturday, K.M. Sharief of the Forum for Dignity said the role of Muslims in nation building was not only being underplayed, but the entire community was being branded anti-national. The British had used the strategy of vilifying Muslims to divide the country, and the same spirit was alive among the communal elements.

Mr. Sharief said Muslims were being deliberately kept out of the mainstream and, at the same time, being accused of `ghettoisation', he said. Sidelining of the community in the development process had been brought to light by the Rajendar Sachar Committee.

Shivasundar of Komu Souharda Vedike cited historical incidents and documents to underline the democratic and anti-imperialist aspirations of the First War of Independence. It was a movement of lower-level soldiers, farmers, small traders and labourers who struck alliances breaking barriers of religion. Many of the `firmans' (royal edicts) pronounced by Bahadur Shah Zafar projected the British as an imperialist power against which people should fight a united war. It was this aspect of the period that needed to be emulated at this point in history when "neo-imperialist forces are ruling the roost", he said.

Kaleem Ullah Rashadi, vice-president of the forum, said communal elements were tainting the reputation of even valiant rulers such as Tipu Sultan.

"If a hero such as Tipu can be called anti-national, what is the fate of ordinary people like us," he asked.

Other programmes

The Popular Front of India is holding seminars in Chennai and Mangalore on the same theme. Other programmes have been planned throughout the year to highlight the role of Muslims in the First War of Independence.

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